LGBTIQ+

This page provides information, services and advice for people that identify as LGBTIQ+ people, as well as parents, friends, carers and medical practitioners across the ACT Community.

Understanding LGBTIQ+ health

LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning and other diverse sexualities, gender identities and variations in sex characteristics. 

ACT Health recognises that people who identify as LGBTIQ+ are valued members of our community and provide important contributions as consumers, clinicians and advocates in our health system.

We also recognise that the term LGBTIQ+ is not exhaustive and does not cover all forms of diversity in sex, gender or sexuality.

ACT Health understands that your identity is not singular and that different identities may overlap and contribute to your experience. For example, you may identify as a queer person and a refugee whose first language is not English. This overlap can make it challenging to access services that recognise and respond to your individual experience.

Health concerns for the LGBTIQ+ community

LGBTIQ+ people experience disproportionate rates of ill-health and disadvantage compared to the other members of the general population. LGBTIQ+ people experience barriers to accessing health services because of stigma, stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and exclusion. 

We understand that health issues experienced by different groups of LGBTIQ+ people aren’t always the same. For example, the experience and health issues experienced by a gay man may be very different to those faced by the transgender or gender-diverse communities. 

Addressing the challenges

Specific health issues can occur for people within the LGBTIQ+ community. Myths and misunderstandings can impact support and preventative care. 
One myth is that that lesbian women don’t need to have cervical cancer screenings. This is false and harmful and may result in a greater risk of cervical cancer not being detected early in lesbian women.  

If you identify as LGBTIQ+ you might be hesitant to disclose your sexual orientation to health practitioners. That might be based previous negative experiences or fear of discrimination, meaning you might be less likely to receive the screening and healthcare support you need.

LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study

ACT Health Directorate undertook the LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study in 2019-20 which identified 24 recommendations to improve access and inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community in health services across the ACT. 

The Scoping Study is aligned with the Capital of Equality Strategy 2019-2023, which sets out how the ACT Government will continue to make Canberra the most LGBTIQ+ welcoming and inclusive city in Australia. 

New laws protecting the rights of people with variations in sex characteristics in medical settings

The ACT has recently introduced new laws governing the medical treatment of people born with sex characteristics that do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies. The Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Act 2023 came into effect on 23 June 2023. The Act gives better protections to people with variations in sex characteristics in medical settings and allows them to make their own decisions about non-essential medical treatments that affect their bodies. 

Read more about protecting the rights of people with variations in sex characteristics.
 

Health and Community Services

A Gender Agenda

A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks they connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences. For over fifteen years, AGA has represented a gold standard of TGD+I support that is unique in Australia

Australian Professional Association for Trans Health Directory

AUSPATH is the national peak body representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. They maintain a register of a diverse range of health practitioners operating in the ACT and beyond.

Canberra Sexual Health Centre (CSHC)

CSHC is a specialist clinic at The Canberra Hospital that provides professional and non-judgemental care. They provide free testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and are the region’s largest HIV outpatient services. Services are accessible for people with and without Medicare.

Diversity ACT

Diversity ACT is a community based, registered charity, run by volunteers that provides a service hub, social worker, support networks, groups and community resources to assist the LGBTIAQ+ community of the ACT region.

Meridian

Meridian is a community-controlled, peer-led organisation that offers a wide range of community-focused wellbeing services. They use their lived experience to lead the way in providing safe, inclusive and affirming support for all experiences and identities. The wellbeing team are qualified and registered mental health professionals, including Counsellors, Psychologists and Social Workers. Services focus on peer-informed, person-centred, trauma-informed and affirming approaches to care and support.

QLife

QLife offers anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) provides consultations for a wide range of sexual and reproductive health needs. SHFPACT aims to enable increased access to sexual and reproductive health services for all Canberrans with a focus on priority populations including but not limited to young people, people on low incomes or experiencing financial hardship, and LGBTIQ+ people.

Silver Rainbow

The Silver Rainbow project, ran by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, is designed to improve the experience of LGBTI people as they age and enter the Australian aged care system. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia works to educate service providers, policy makers, LGBTI people and the general community about how to meet the needs of LGBTI elders. They also connect LGBTI elders to services and resources.

Women’s Health Matters

Women’s Health Matters is an independent, non-partisan think tank that works to improve the health and wellbeing of women in the ACT and surrounding region. They advocate on behalf of all ACT women, especially those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. They seek to improve the health and wellbeing of anyone who identifies as a woman.

Support and resources for community

ACON Transhub

Transhub is a digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, families, allies and health providers. It provides a range of useful information resources and general advice for trans and gender diverse communities.

ACT Aces

The ACT Aces are a community group for asexuals and their allies in the ACT and surrounding areas.

ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI Network

THE ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI Network seeks to support and raise awareness of Indigenous perspectives with the Canberra LGBTQI community.

ACT Human Rights Commission

The ACT is a human rights jurisdiction, the ACT Human Rights Commission can offer support and guidance around experiences of discrimination and human rights complaints in a variety of areas including sexuality and gender identity.

EmbraceU

EmbraceU is an inclusive digital information and resource on sexual health and blood-borne viruses platform for trans, gender diverse and non-binary community.

Emen8

Emen8 is an online sexual health and wellbeing initiative for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

Justice Connect

Justice Connect is a national legal service that aims to increase access to legal support and progress social justice. It has a range of resources relevant to LGBTIQ+ Canberrans including how to update gender on formal documents, changing your name, legal rights and responding to gender discrimination and transphobia.

LGBTIQ.Directory

This Directory provides a central site to find support pathways, community networks, and inclusive businesses and services in Canberra and surrounding NSW regions.

Resources for clinicians

Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AUSPATH)

AUSPATH is the national peak body representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. They maintain a register of health practitioners working in this space, as well as standards of care, clinical resources and events for clinicians.

Canberra Transgender Care Network

Canberra Transgender Care Network is a group of healthcare professionals that have a commitment to the quality care of transgender and gender diverse people. Their aim is to improve care in the Canberra region through improved referral networks, learning from each other and their mutual patients, and advocating for better local services for this population.

Capital Health Network

Capital Health Network is the ACT Primary Health Network, they work collaboratively to integrate health care, improve health equity and achieve better health outcomes for Canberrans.

LGBTIQ support – North-Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (PHN)

North-western Melbourne PHN provides a range of training modules, resources and services to enable better care for LGBTIQ+ people.

Meridian (ACT) Training and Education

Meridian offers comprehensive and engaging LGBTIQ+ awareness and inclusivity education packages comprising the LGBTIQ+[Ai] Foundation Training, Allyship Training, AOD training, HIV Awareness Education, and LGBTIQ+ Silver Rainbow Aged Care Training.

Mental Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary People (University of Melbourne and North-Western Melbourne PHN Clinical Training Module)

The "Mental Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary People" module is designed for a range of mental health professionals to become familiar with and sensitive to the diverse terminology, experiences, issues, standards, and referral pathways with respect to trans, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGDNB) clients. The overarching purpose is to promote more inclusive and responsive service provision for TGDNB people in mental health care settings.

Primary Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary People (University of Melbourne and North-Western Melbourne PHN Clinical Training Module)

The “Primary Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary People” module is designed for a range of health professionals to become familiar with how to create an affirming and inclusive environment for TGDNB people attending primary practice and community care. It also covers terminology, standards of care, key clinical issues and competency in providing psychosocial care.

Page last updated on: 6 Mar 2024